IRIS
The next morning before I left, I kissed Leo on the cheek and told him I loved him. He had held me down during a time when I had no one and I could not thank him enough.
"You're getting sappy on me," Leo said as he pulled back, his hands on my arms.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked for the third time that morning. "Because you can change your mind. You can stay here as long as you need."
"I'm sure." The words came out firmer than I had anticipated. I had practiced them in the bathroom mirror while Leo was showering. "Ian is a good man. He makes me happy."
Leo studied my face, and for a moment I thought he saw through it. Leo had always been able to read me but this time, he just nodded and pulled me into a hug.
"Then I'm happy for you," he said into my hair. "You deserve thi
